Photos and words by Rosi Lamela
In 2010, The Black Keys put out the album Brothers and when I listened to it I immediately fell in love. It was one of those albums that I listened to on repeat and it brings me back to a time in my life that wasn’t easy. This album, along with a few others, got me through those rough times. I remember listening to it in the car when I still had a CD player and just blaring “Everlasting Light” and “Never Gonna Give You Up”. For someone who was never super into the blues, it was a soft introduction as many of their songs teeter between rock and the blues even though we all know they are one of the same.
The Black Keys were on my short-list of bands to see live, even though I don’t often listen to them much these days. That all changed, as the anticipation of their upcoming show at PNC Bank Arts Center approached. I put on their latest album Dropout Boogie and couldn’t believe how much I liked it. “Wild Child” has that same great classic sound that drew me to them, as my original passion will always be classic rock. Not only was it The Black Keys I was going to see, but it was my first time back at the PNC in almost 20 years. It was bound to be a day that was going to tickle my nostalgia. It was also my biggest show to date. I was sooo nervous.
Before Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney came on the stage they played a video on the screens. It was a gentleman posing as an ultra-Christian figure warning the crowd about rock music and things that are “morally” wrong with this particular band. It got the crowd shouting at the video and everyone was super amped on this beautiful (and hot) Saturday night. The lights came on and they started their set with “I Got Mine” from Attack & Release and then “Howlin’ for You” from Brothers which brought the rest of the crowd to their feet for the entire show. The show got very bluesy in the middle of the set as some Mississippi blues guitarists joined them for a few covers. Here I got a feel for Auerbach’s passion for the blues and witnessed his talent as he wailed on his Gibson guitar. Despite this being a bit of a break from their music, the crowd kept dancing and shouting.
They came back with a slightly different version of “Everlasting Light”. This was amazing and I got chills. They played “Next Girl” and “Wild Child” before they walked off the stage. This was the moment where I was hoping they would play my favorite song during the encore. It’s that one piece of the puzzle that will make or break the show in your memory. When I saw Auerbach come back on the stage with an acoustic guitar, it reminded me of being 14 at my first concert when I thought Pink Floyd was not going to play “Wish You Were Here”. I did actually get to hear it that night and I also got to hear “Little Black Submarines” last Saturday too. It was a complete sing along and the night went down as holding a special place in my memory for all time. The Black Keys sure know how to deliver.
Keep scrolling to see more photos from the show including openers Ceramic Animal and Band of Horses.
